Silver State Stampede Rodeo Celebrated 100 Years in 2012A variety of special events and opportunities for rodeo fans and collectors celebrated our centennial.

In 1912, G. S. Garcia, originally from Salinas, California, put on the first Silver State Stampede in Elko, Nevada. At that time it was a carnival and celebration, as well as a rodeo. The rodeo committee was established with 60 community members and the gala event involved the whole community for five full days.Here we are 100 years later and the Silver State rodeo committee put on the Silver State Stampede starting with a concert on Wednesday July 11, a kick-off party and Old West Bronc Riding and Calcutta on Thursday, and a PRCA rodeo with mutton busting and Old West Bronc Riding on Friday and Saturday evenings. John Wright produced a Bucking Bull Futurity on Sunday. This marked 100 years for this rodeo, making the Silver State Stampede the oldest rodeo in Nevada. On Friday evening, the performance began with a Centennial Celebration ceremony that featured 100 individuals from the community each carrying an American flag into the arena. The flags were then placed atop the arena wall lending a special background to this centennial rodeo. Dee Dee Garcia, descendent of G. S. Garcia, was the Grand Marshall. She rode in the grand entry carrying a special American flag that had been flown in Washington, D. C. and was accompanied by Doug and John Wright and John’s wife and children. Paula Wright, co-owner of J. M. Capriola Co., was honored. Paula, who was very active in the Silver State Stampede’s centennial activities, was recently killed in a tragic horse accident.The Centennial Silver State Stampede concluded on Saturday, with over $40,000 in purse money and prizes being awarded in seven PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association) rodeo events and two special events. All PRCA event winners received a pair of Garcia spurs. The Silver State Stampede is the only professional rodeo to offer the coveted Garcia spurs as a prize.Kirby’s Bar T Rodeo of Chester, UT provided the rodeo stock. In 2006 and 2011, Bar T won the coveted PRCA Best Remuda award, which is given to rodeo companies whose breeding program produces exceptional bucking stock. A number of horses and bulls that had been at the NFR in Las Vegas last year were featured.2012 PRCA ResultsSaddle Bronc:1) Landon Mecham 84 on Bitter Robin In addition to the Garcia spurs, Mecham received a miniature bronc saddle hand-crafted by Spring Creek, NV saddlemaker Bill Maupin. 2) Joseph Lee Harper 81 on Fire Fly3) Charlie Kogaines 78 on Lulibelle

2012 Photo Gallery - click photos for larger views.

2012 Special EventsThe local favorite Silver State Stampede special events are the WSRRA sanctioned Old West Bronc Riding and the Ring of Fear. Slim Gardner was again a favorite with his clown acts.Alvaro “Cowboy” Rodriguez of Tuscarora, NV, won the Old West ranch-style bronc riding this year was with a combined score (average) of 173 on two horses. Rodriguez scored 92 on his first horse, winning the first round and qualifying for the second round. The top 12 scoring riders from the first round rode a second horse. Rodriguez won a pair of handmade custom boots by Kelly Martin and a bedroll quilt by Timmy Lyn DeLong for his first round win, and, for the average, received a pair of Garcia spurs donated by JM Capriola Co, and a trophy buckle donated by Skyline Silversmiths. Rodriguez’s prize money totaled $2,350.40.Old West Bronc Riding

1) Cowboy Rodriguez 1732) Victor Madrigal 1573) Malachi McLain 153 4/5) Colton Vega / Chris Baird 151The ever-exciting Ring of Fear, sponsored by Triple Crowns Casino, was won on Friday by Nathan Morgan, who received $500 for being the last man standing in his designated ring after a PRCA fighting bull was released into the arena. Jordan Brough also received $250 on Friday for leaving his ring, thus forfeiting his chance of winning, to help his friend that was taken down by the bull. Severin Richey won the Saturday event.This year saw the biggest crowds the Stampede has ever drawn in the past 100 years it has been produced. Hats off to the un-paid Rodeo Committee and their volunteers who made this production a huge success.